Liver Center

(801) 585-0000

About

The Liver Center offers care for both patients with common liver conditions and those who have complex conditions needing medical or surgical treatment. We see patients at University Hospital, giving them full access to the broad range of specialty services as needed for their conditions.

Led by board-certified hepatologists and transplantation surgeons, the center combines the expertise of specialists in the fields of gastroenterology, infectious disease, interventional radiology, oncology, pathology, and radiology. Our patients receive the region’s most comprehensive liver treatment available.

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The Liver: Anatomy and Functions

Anatomy of the liver

The liver is located in the upper right-hand portion of the abdominal cavity, beneath the diaphragm, and on top of the stomach, right kidney, and intestines.

Shaped like a cone, the liver is a dark reddish-brown organ that weighs about 3 pounds.

There are two distinct sources that supply blood to the liver, including the following:

Oxygenated blood flows in from the hepatic artery

Nutrient-rich blood flows in from the hepatic portal vein

The liver holds about one pint (13%) of the body's blood supply at any given moment. The liver consists of 2 main lobes, both of which are made up of 8 segments that consist of 1,000 lobules. These lobules are connected to small ducts that connect with larger ducts to ultimately form the common hepatic duct. The common hepatic duct transports the bile produced by the liver cells to the gallbladder and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine) via the common bile duct.

Functions of the liver

The liver regulates most chemical levels in the blood and excretes a product called bile, which helps carry away waste products from the liver. All the blood leaving the stomach and intestines passes through the liver. The liver processes this blood and breaks down, balances, and creates the nutrients and also metabolizes drugs into forms that are easier to use for the rest of the body or that are nontoxic. More than 500 vital functions have been identified with the liver. Some of the more well-known functions include the following:

Production of bile, which helps carry away waste and break down fats in the small intestine during digestion

Production of certain proteins for blood plasma

Production of cholesterol and special proteins to help carry fats through the body

Conversion of excess glucose into glycogen for storage (glycogen can later be converted back to glucose for energy) and to balance and produce glucose as needed

Regulation of blood levels of amino acids, which form the building blocks of proteins

Processing of hemoglobin for use of its iron content (the liver stores iron)

Conversion of poisonous ammonia to urea (urea is an end product of protein metabolism and is excreted in the urine)

Clearing the blood of drugs and other poisonous substances

Regulating blood clotting

Resisting infections by producing immune factors and removing bacteria from the bloodstream

Clearance of bilirubin, also from red blood cells. If there is an accumulation of bilirubin, the skin and eyes turn yellow.

When the liver has broken down harmful substances, its by-products are excreted into the bile or blood. Bile by-products enter the intestine and ultimately leave the body in the form of feces. Blood by-products are filtered out by the kidneys, and leave the body in the form of urine.

Related Specialists

Dr. Linda Book graduated from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, completed a pediatric residency at Cincinnati Children’s Medical Center and the University of Utah followed by fellowship training in Pediatric Gastroenterology at the University of Utah. She is Chief of the Division of Pediatric Gas... Read More

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Terry Box, MD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Utah School of Medicine. He is also a Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) investigator and a member of HCI's Gastrointestinal Cancer Program. Dr. Box is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the Na... Read More

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Paul Jeffery Campsen, MD, is the Surgical Director of Pancreas Transplantation at the University of Utah. He practices at the University Hospital, Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI), and Primary Children's Medical Center.... Read More

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Dr. Chaly received a Bachelor of Science at the University of California. Upon graduating from college he accepted a research position in the Department of Surgery at UCSF, where he studied aneurysm proliferation and arteriovenous malformations. After receiving h... Read More

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Dr. Juan F. Gallegos-Orozco graduated from medical school in Mexico and completed post-graduate medical education in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology in both Mexico and the United States, where he recently completed fellowship training in Transplant Hepatology at the prestigious Mayo School of Graduate Med... Read More

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Dr. Guthery received his medical degree from the Oregon Health Sciences University and completed his pediatric residency at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. He subsequently completed his fellowship in pediatric gastroenterology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. ... Read More

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Dr. Jensen received his medical degree from the University of Utah School of Medicine, completed a pediatric residency at Primary Children’s Hospital, followed by a Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Fellowship at the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He then completed ... Read More

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Dr. Kim received his Bachelor of Arts from The Johns Hopkins University and his Doctor of Medicine from Jefferson Medical College. He completed his residency in General Surgery at the University of Massachusetts School of Medicine which included a two-year research fellowship in liver regeneration and cancer. ... Read More

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Sean Mulvihill, MD has specialized expertise in the treatment of diseases of the liver, biliary tract, and pancreas. He is board certified in general surgery. His main clinical focus is in the management of patients with pancreatic tumors, such as pancreatic adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine tumors. He has integ... Read More

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Dr. O’Hara completed his medical training at the University of Washington in Seattle followed by training in diagnostic radiology at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, Washington. He then travelled to Philadelphia to pursue fellowship training in Vascular and Interventional Radiology at the University ... Read More

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Dr. Zuzana Stehlikova is Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology at the University of Utah School of Medicine. She has specialized in the Obstetric Anesthesia and Liver Transplant Anesthesia. She is involved in multidisciplinary team training targeted at obstetric emergencies. She practices Anesthesia at the Unive... Read More

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Anesthesiology, Liver Transplant, Obstetrical Anesthesia

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Kerin Stevens is a certified Nurse Practitioner who diagnoses and treats adult patients with liver disease. She obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Regis University and completed her Master of Science degree in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner at Westminster College. She has been working as a RN since ... Read More

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Dr. Ray Thomason graduated from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Utah and completed post-graduate medical education in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology/Hepatology at the University of Utah. He has been involved in Transplant Hepatology in Utah since 1986. He is board certified in I... Read More

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Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Liver Disease, Liver Transplant

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Chris Tietze, MD is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology at the University of Utah. He is the Director of Hepatology at Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Salt Lake City and is the GI Fellowship Program Director.... Read More